How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
When seeking advice, assessment or assistance for ADHD People often come across a network gatekeepers. It is evident that some of these gatekeepers from NHS CCGs are not following national clinical guidelines or their legal obligation to stop discrimination and health inequality.
Some private ADHD clinics may not be properly regulated, according to anecdotal reports. This may result in uncoordinated thresholds for diagnosis and assessment reporting that could cause problems when trying to transfer to the NHS.
How do I get an appointment for a diagnosis?
ADHD is a mental health condition that means it must be diagnosed by a healthcare professional with special expertise. This includes psychologists and psychiatrists (who are only qualified to diagnose ADHD here in the UK). Mentally ill people frequently report ADHD symptoms, especially those who have struggled for a long period of time. This means that they be feeling stuck in their current situation and need assistance to improve their lives. However the NHS can be difficult to navigate for those seeking diagnosis.
You can receive an assessment through the NHS if you ask your GP to refer you to an expert. Your GP will be attentive to your concerns and should be able recommend you to an assessment, but you may need to wait while the specialist is in.
In order to assess your ADHD, healthcare professionals will examine any mental health issues you might have had in the past and your family history. To evaluate your behavior, they'll examine you in a variety of settings, such as at school, home or at work. You will be asked to describe your symptoms, and how they affect your daily life. They may also inquire about your relationships, social life and any other activities that you take part in on a regular basis.
A specialist will look at all the evidence before deciding on a diagnose. They will use criteria like being constantly active and fidgety, possessing an insufficient amount of attention, difficulty keeping up at work or school or work, having difficulty staying focused on work or tasks, not completing them and being a lot of active. The diagnosis is determined by an array of characteristics that can be observed in different situations and impact your performance.
In recent months, there has been a rise in the number of high-profile individuals who have spoken out about their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD. This has led to a rise in the number of people seeking an assessment, which could lead to long waiting times for healthcare professionals. Some families and patients opt to bypass the NHS by undergoing assessments at private clinics which can be costly. It is essential to choose an healthcare provider you can trust and to be honest about your health issues.
What happens during the assessment process?
The procedure of the process of assessing ADHD symptoms is the same whether you self-refer or are referred to by your GP. The person doing the assessment will ask you questions about how your symptoms impact your life, such as "What difficulties do you encounter at home?", "How do your symptoms affect your work?", and "Do you experience any other symptoms you believe could be related to ADHD?"
Depending on where you go to get your assessment there could be different forms or questionnaires for you to complete prior to your appointment. Complete these forms as quickly as you can will prevent any delays in your appointment. You should also familiarise yourself with the symptoms of ADHD to be able to recognise them and discuss their impact on your life.
The evaluation will usually include an interview with either a psychiatrist or specialist nursing staff, or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The therapist will evaluate your mental health overall and the symptoms of ADHD to determine if they are being caused by any other condition, or are unrelated to any other conditions (NICE guidelines). The therapist will then discuss treatment options with you, which can involve medication.
Keep in mind that nurses and doctors are not as knowledgeable about adult ADHD as Psychiatrists. It is therefore crucial to identify your symptoms and practice them prior to when you go to the assessment. This will help you explain the impact your symptoms are having in a way that is understandable to them. You'll have to provide examples on how your symptoms have affected your life in all aspects from your work to your relationships, and then over time.
As part of the examination, you could be required to take certain tests, like the test for allergies. Your therapist might suggest additional tests to determine for any medical issues.
You may be self-referring or making use of the Right to Choose Scheme, but you will still have to wait for an NHS-funded appointment. This can vary from NHS trust to NHS trust and clinician to clinician.
What happens if I do not receive a diagnosis?
You may be diagnosed with ADHD when you have a number of things in your favor. Certain groups could be more difficult to get diagnosed. For example, if they are of color or were assigned female at birth or if they have any other mental health conditions like depression or bipolar disorder.
If you are having difficulty getting a diagnosis, try speaking to your GP about the issue and ask for an appointment with a psychiatrist. You may also find a private doctor who is specialized in adult ADHD evaluations. They can offer a faster service than the NHS.
The psychiatrist will look at your symptoms and determine if they meet the criteria for ADHD, using the Nice guidelines as a reference. They'll also try to eliminate other causes of your symptoms like anxiety, depression, or thyroid issues. This can be a thorough procedure, and it's not always easy for adults to provide all the evidence required (for instance, they might be unable to locate old school reports that are in the back of the cupboard).
It's also possible that you will not be diagnosed with ADHD even the GP will agree to refer you to a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist can only diagnose ADHD when they believe your ADHD symptoms cause significant impairment. If they think you don't meet the criteria, they'll inform you why.
In the UK it is legal in the UK to get treatment through the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the event that you have a diagnosis of ADHD. You might also be able to obtain medication through an Individual Funding Request but this depends on the location you live in. You may be referred to an expert in your local area who will prescribe the medication of your choice. NHS specialists will recommend Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine first and don't plan long titration phases.
Participating in a support group, whether in person or online, for adults with ADHD can be beneficial. They can be supportive and comforting. It can also be helpful to share your experiences with others who can relate to.
What can I do to get treatment?
GPs may recommend adults to specialist ADHD services for assessment and medication. Typically, these are located in NHS hospitals and NHS community health teams, for example, the Maudsley Hospital in London offers a nationwide ADHD adult diagnostic service. However, a majority of NHS healthcare providers do not accept these reports as legitimate and patients often encounter blockages in their access to healthcare including long waiting times and rejection of referrals (see below for more details).).
Support groups informed the meeting of consensus that a lot of ADHD sufferers are seeking private assessments and diagnosis to overcome NHS's lack of investment in this area. Private clinics offer a more accurate, professional and faster diagnosis. They also assist in screening for comorbidities such as anxiety and depression that are common in ADHD. They can assist in titrating the final dosage. The cost can vary from PS500 to PS1,200. Sometimes, a diagnosis and dosage are separately priced.
The diagnosis and treatment of ADHD varies between individuals. The most commonly used treatment is medication, which can be in the form of methylphenidates (Ritalin, Concerta) or atomoxetine (Strateva). Sometimes, non-drug interventions are beneficial, like education and training for parents and families of people with ADHD. Some people with ADHD have found that changing their diet and developing a sleep-friendly schedule helps. Some people have found that hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can alleviate their symptoms. However, how to get diagnosed with adhd uk for these therapies isn't as strong.
It is unacceptable that a lot of adults suffering from ADHD are not able to access the care and treatment they require from the NHS. The UK government, clinical and regulatory authorities must act urgently to rectify this issue. People with ADHD deserve to have access to treatment, free from discrimination and in line with their legal rights. The long-term planning of financing, and a coordinated commissioning of health, social care and judicial services are crucial to meet this unmet need. The current situation isn't sustainable and the impact on individuals, families and society is incredibly damaging. It is time to invest in this area.